The 2023 Fall Brawl was all about the rivalry itself as the Broncs received the bad news that Evanston’s win over Green River on Thursday had eliminated them from the post-season. The result had no bearing on the Braves’ grip on the 3A West top seed either as the two teams kicked off. 

It was a video-game type start for Star Valley as Lane Wiebelhaus picked off Thomas May on the first offensive play of the game on a halfback pass gone awry. Four plays later the Braves were in the end zone as All-State lineman, Clay Merritt, scored from one-yard out. After the defense forced a turnover on downs, Wylie Wilkes bulldozed over the Broncs from 7-yards out for a second touchdown in the game’s eight minutes. The hits kept coming for the visitors as Bryson Nield forced a fumble which was then picked up by Wilkes who toted the ball 52 yards for a defensive scoop-and-score. The Braves led 21-0 with nearly four minutes left in the first quarter. 

The Broncs could not move the ball in the first half against Star Valley’s defense which set up a 34-0 halftime lead with touchdowns from Kanyon Herd and a pass from Smith McClure to Wiebelhaus from 19-yards out. 

Star Valley used up a huge chunk of the third quarter before scoring on the legs of Jesse Leavitt to put the advantage to 41-0. Leavitt scored again in the fourth quarter and finished with 170 rushing yards. 

The Broncs did find the end zone on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Harrison Ward to Seb Brunner.

The Braves now host the Worland Warriors in the quarterfinals next Friday with a scheduled kickoff of 5 p.m.

3A Playoffs

(4W) Evanston @ (1E) Riverton

(3E) Douglas @ (2W) Cody

(4E) Worland @ (1W) Star Valley  5 p.m.

(3W) Powell @ (2E) Buffalo

2A Playoffs

(4E) Wheatland @ (1W) Mountain View

(3W) Cokeville @ (2E) Torrington

(4W) Lovell @ (1E) Big Horn

(3E) Tongue River @ (2W) Lyman

4A Playoffs

(8) Kelly Walsh @ (1) Sheridan

(5) Thunder Basin @ (4) Campbell County

(7) Rock Springs @ (2) Cheyenne East

(6) Cheyenne Central @ (3) Natrona